The Executive Board meeting of the Yale Political Union held on Sunday 2nd May 2010 was called to order at 4:02 pm in the YPU Office, with the President, Mr. Conor Crawford, presiding.

PRESENT (absences indicated in italics):

President, Mr. Conor Crawford (Pres)

Vice President, Mr. Logan Mohs (VP)

Director of Campus Relations, Miss Sandy Zhu (DCR)

Director of Development, Mr. Joseph Charlet (DD)

Treasurer, Mr. Yang Li (Treas)

Chair of the Liberal Party, Miss Stephanie Seller (CLP)

Chair of the Party of the Left, Mr. Dominick Lawton (CPL)

Chairman of the Progressive Party, Mr. Nathaniel Schwalb (CPP)

Chairman of the Independent Party, Miss Shannon Connors (CIP)

Chairman of the Conservative Party, Mr. Kyle Rusciano(CCP)

Chairman of the Tory Party, Mr. Cyprien Sarteau (CTP)

Chairman of the Party of the Right, Miss Camila YaDeau (CPR)

Speaker, Mr. Adam Stempel (Speaker)

Floorleader of the Left, Mr. Ryan Pollock(FLL)

Floorleader of the Right, Mr. Nick Geiser (FLR)

Secretary of the YPU, Mr. Cameron Rotblat

VISITORS:

Mr. David Manners-Weber

Miss Naomi Lisan

Miss Leah Lebresco

Pres says that two appointed offices need to be filled.

CLP says that Mr. Rotblat is very engaged with the Union.He’s a hard worker, too.

Speaker moves that Cameron Rotblat be appointed Secretary of the Yale Political Union.

The motion is seconded and passes without objection.

Pres says the Teller will be appointed at the Rules Committee.

Pres says that Advisory Committee appointments need to be discussed.

Mr. Manners-Weber speaks about role of Adcomm, describing it as long-term planning committee rather than one with a week-to-week focus, also serving to put out day-to-day fires when appropriate.It is a resource for the President of the Union.The Committee makes midterm evaluation of the officers of the Union. Every former president is recommended and there are 3 at large members.Mr. Manner-Weber says, “few people know the union as well as Leah, regularly involved with intellectual and force elements of the union, and that she will likely serve as chairmen of the committee.”

CPP says she is marvelous at leading meetings and understanding complexities.

Pres says he could turn to her on any political question and that she is a “rock of the organization.”

VP moves that Miss Leah Lebresco be appointed to the YPU Advisory Committee.

The motion is seconded and passes without objection.

Mr. Maneners-Weber says that Josh Esquevel has two semesters worth of experience on Eboard during which he provided a supportive but critical perspective.Mr.Maneners-Weber adds that he delighted to put him forward as the first member of the Progs to be on the Advisory Committee

CPR says that while not trying to be obstructionist she wishes to express concern over the nominee.CPR feels that Mr. Esquevel was disdainful and obstructive on Eboard and mentions that Adcomm is not meant to have members of each party.

CPP says that Mr. Esquevel does not have a negative view of union and that he should not put on Adcomm for being a Prog, but because he is a very serious person.

Speaker asks whether Mr. Esquevel is he interested in the Adcomm role.

Mr. Maneners-Weber says “yes, he attended 8 of past semester’s debates.Alex, could comment being on Ebaord with him”

Mr. Martone says that he offered thoughtful comments on how the union was running, was forthcoming with feedback, and was nice to have.

Pres says he was quick comment, judged a lot at prize debates, and seems to be willing to take jobs others may consider less interesting.

Mr. Manners-Weber discusses Tristyn Bloom, who he says impressed a lot of people in run for speaker.“She has impressive knowledge of debate and the Union. Right now Adcomm has only one member of the right and another member of the right is a good thing to have. The Advisory committee thinks she would be wonderful addition.” Mr. Manners-Weber explains there may be some ambiguity about eligibility of Adcomm members.There is no explicit requirement that members be undergraduates, but there is a section that requires them to serve until graduation or resignation.Adcomm doubles as rules committee so he wanted to bring issue to Eboard about eligibility.

Pres believes that there is no clear constitutional inhibition to Miss Bloom’s service on the Advisory Committee.

CPR explains that Miss Bloom will be around Yale full time and wants to remain involved with the YPU.

DD asks if Miss Bloom is ready to be an Elder of the Union and not run for office.Upon return to Yale she could not run as returning senior, because one has to be a continuing student.

CPP says it seems to be a requirement for a “nongraduated student.”

CPR informs the body that Miss Bloom does not plan to run for any YPU office upon return.

Mr. Manners-Weber discusses the final nominee, Naomi Lisan. “She was Speaker last semester, and Adcomm has many former presidents but no former speakers. It would be good to have someone who understands how speaker’s triangle has worked.She has done a strong job of ‘party-hoping’ and ‘floor-hoping.’”

CIP notes that there is lots of enthusiasm for Miss Naomi Lisan to play a role on the Advisory Committee and explains that Miss Naomi Lisan balances excitement for her party and for the Union

VP presents the current status in regard to fall semester guests.There are three confirmed guest, Aaron Brown (former broadcast journalist now teaching at ASU), Governor of New York Eliot Spitzer, and John Kerry. There has not yet been any discussion on topics.

Pres reported getting confirmation from Kerry three days ago.He says that Kerry as a September guest would benefit recruit.He says that he will work on scheduling days and resolutions in next couple weeks.

DCR reports that she will get record from Mr. Jaymin Patel of those who signed up at the extracurricular bazaar and will send out an email with information on YPU, blurbs on each party, and pictures to those on the list.She mentions a desire to use the YPU blog to attract freshmen over summer.

Pres says he would like to see more post on the YPU blog.

DD says he plans to talk to chairs about externships and what alumni would be interested and willing.He also plans to talk to Mory’s about reopening, possibly setting up YPU Day when reopened.

Pres says, “the events we are looking forward to have me excited.”

Treas says, “I am going to work with a general limit of 4,000 for guest expenses.”He reports that last fall and spring were under budget and that sitting politicians will zero-out.He also mentions that a deal with The Study “saves us a ton of money.”He adds that Freshman Prize money will stay the same and that DCR might want more money in fall than spring.He also adds that dinner subsidies are likely to be the same, and might be under budget like last year.Treas asks about number of guest.

VP says he has talked to Hudson Union and would like to do something with them, meaning 10 or 11 plus prize debate.

Tres says that if we spend the same amount fall and spring will be under budget in fall but over budget in spring.

CPR asks about party fund dispersal.

Tres says amount per party seems to be $128.He aso asks about the status of the “Incorporation Project” and who is paying to attention to that.

Pres says that Leah will take charge of that “long and labor some process.”

Treas asks about the final paper work from 75th Anniversary.

Speaker says he does not have the check yet, but has other papers.

Mr. Martone explains that Eboard has to set membership dues, explained in the YPU Constitution, with information on the graduated pricing system.He mentions that last year the dues were set at $20 a year for the fall and $15 in the spring.He believes that the dues do not need to be changed

Treas says that both him and Mr. Shikani agree that levels should be kept the same because of declining endowment contribution.

Pres says he will trust Mr. Shikani‘s opinion because of the wonderful job he has done.

DCR reports that her budget is currently $250 for both semesters, but would like to raise the budget to $300 for fall in order to have more dinning hall table tents.

Treas sees no problem with $300 for fall and $200 for spring, as the DCR has regularly been under budget in past spring semesters.

Mr. Martone notes that only dues need to be approved today, the budget does not have to be approved.

CPP moves to maintain the YPU dues at current levels

The motion is seconded and passes without objections.

Pres hesitantly states that there are no minutes to approve and asks for a motion.

Miss Lisan moves to approve all outstanding minutes as amended.

The motion is seconded and passes without objection.

Mr. Will Shikani enters room says that he wants to share finalized information.Then says that all he needs is one sentence: “spring projects to lose $525, ended up making $1275, net income for year $1800…that’s it, all available on Eboard panlist.”

CPP commends Mr. Shikani for fabulous work and sense of sarcasm.

Mr. Shikani reports that he has party disbursements

DD moves to adjourn.

The motion is seconded and passes without objection.

The Executive Board meeting of the Yale Political Union was adjourned at 4:37 p.m.